ABSTRACT

Microplastics, a new type of pollutants found in coral reefs, have attracted increasing attention. However, most ofthe current research focuses on thescleractiniancorals and few reports onOctocorallia. To reveal the impact ofmicroplastic exposure onOctocorallia, we analyzed the transcriptional response of the coral hostsJunceellasquamataalong with changes to the diversity and community structure of its symbiotic bacteria followingexposure to polystyrene microplastics. These results suggest that the microplastics have adverse impacts onnutrient metabolism and absorption in J.squamata. The symbiotic bacteria of J.squamataexhibited a clearresponse after exposure to microplastics, which may also reflect an adaptation mechanism of corals, and help tomaintain the physiological function of coral symbiotic function under the exposure of microplastics. This studyhas revealed the impact of microplastic exposure on J.squamata, providing new insights for coral protectionagainst the background of increased microplastics pollution.